I couldn't stand the thought of being in the house alone with Ben so as quickly as I had gone in, I'd taken a change of clothes and left. I hated the way his eyes followed me everywhere when I went in the house so although I didn't want to be around Doug and the others after what had just happened, I had no choice.

The outfit I'd chosen was a simple one. It was a peach crop top paired with a black skater skirt. I'd kept on the same pair of flip flops as before.

When I'd finished changing behind the house again, I made my way for the lake. The mid-afternoon weather was on the warm side so I was thankful for the swim even if it had taken a turn at the end.

"God, what do they think about me now?" I thought to myself. I'd admitted that I had fallen for Mikey in front of the entire team. I hadn't even admitted that to myself before.

Up until that point, we might have just been really close and enjoying eachother's companies and maybe fooling around a bit but now it was staring me in the face. Was I really in love? I'd never been in love before so how was I to know what it felt like? Then again, I'd never felt like that before either.

The way I felt when he smiled at me the way he did. The way my skin felt against his. My lips against his. The feeling of being all-in, no matter what. It was all so new and so exciting.

I spotted the boys huddled a few feet from the lake. I pulled a few strands of hair behind my ears as I made my way for them. As I closed the gap, I noticed that the skirt swished quite freely around my legs. It's the really little things that made me notice. That things really had changed.

"Hey guys, afternoon coach" I said after a small wave.

Coach nodded.

"Here to watch the men work?" Doug asked grinning.

"Pay attention Ripley! This is important" Coach chastised.

"Sorry coach" his head fell. I let out a smile and noticed the other boys doing the same.

"We need to get this right" Coach started "And without any proper tools, it's not going to be easy. Now the paddles are probably not going to be efficient or even easy to use but as long as we can move that boat, we'll take what we can get"

We all listened attentively. I briefly wondered what we'd have done if coach wasn't here with us. I didn't think we could have even gotten this far. I thought about the other people that survived the crash. I hadn't had any time to process what happened that day. "I'd been in a plane crash" it dawned on me. There had been more of us too before we got separated. I hadn't made a proper count then but we had to have been atleast 50 in the water. And then there were 9.

I wondered about all the others. Were they still alive? Had they been rescued? I thought about the people on the island close to us. How many of them were there? Who were they? Was there also some weird shit on their island making them crazy? Or was that just our tough luck?

"You with us, Fahey"

"I am, coach" I said snapping myself out of it.

"I understand that you've decided to take on a more...." he paused as if searching for the right word "supportive role but you should still pay attention. Learn something"

I nodded meekly.

"As I was saying" coach continued "we're going to start by splitting the log. They're big logs...." He tapped both logs firmly "but they're light so axe in the right spot, split them right down the middle. Don't you boys worry, I'll handle that but remind me to teach you how when we get back home" he smiled.

We did too. Coach didn't smile often. Certainly not during P.E but he would let out the occasional smile when we won a particularly tough matchup or when we took down division rivals.

It was obvious he had softened up throughout our time on the island but no one was going to point that out.

"Next we'll use the big knife and make deep incisions into the wood to form the outline of the paddle. This needs to be done as cleanly as possible. Then all that'll be left to do is carve it out. Remove the sides, remove the back. We'll need to do this atleast twice and maybe even four times so it's a lot of work but we'll do it together"

His demeanor seemed to change in an instant and all of us sensed this. He looked to be wrestling with a thought but eventually gained the resolve.

"There's something you all need to know" we watched attentively as he placed both hands on his hips before heaving and continuing "recently, I've been seeing my wife and my son around the island. Now I know how that sounds but I'm fine. For now."

None of us knew how to take this information. We'd known that hallucinations could happen as an effect but this was coach. Plus we didn't even know he had a son. He'd certainly never told us about him.

"Initially I wasn't sure but it's been getting clearer and more obvious and it's getting worse" his face showed all the emotions even though he tried to keep his voice strong. "I'm telling you boys this because you need to understand what's at stake. I don't know where this is going to lead but it can't be good. You heard Ripley said we had to get off the island and he's right."

I could tell that it'd taken so much for him to say all that. He was worried and he didn't bother to hide it anymore. He'd been confident when we first got here but now, that was gone. Things were different now and a lot more dangerous. If we couldn't even trust ourselves then how do we survive?

"If I start acting strangely or I can't seem to control myself, you need to be ready to restrain me. You mustn't hesitate, do you understand?"

"Yes coach" we chorused.

"I couldn't live with myself if I hurt any one of you." His voice was apprehensive. We'd never seen coach like this. "Has anyone else had any symptoms?"

Tommy and Tate both raised their hands. I did too.

The rest of the boys quickly focused on the three of us.

"What symptoms?" Coach asked.

"Hallucinations" Tommy replied.

"Me too" Tate agreed.

"Hallucinations but I had this weird dream a couple days ago. After Mikey said I fell. It was so real and I could have sworn I had been there much longer than a few hours. I don't even remember falling that day. I can't explain it. I could have sworn I saw a ship that day but I was out of it so I don't know what I saw. And earlier today, I think I lost consciousness while in the lake and almost drowned"

"Wait what?" Mikey asked sharply. A similar wave of concern flew through the group.

"It was only for a few seconds but it felt like I was pulled into a dream. I woke up underwater"

"Okay it goes without saying that no more getting in the lake unless there's someone else here with you." Coach walked over the grab the axe "no time for delay. we'll beat this place. Put the log upright, let's get to work"

▼・j61;・▼

I'd eventually given the boys some space and gone to sit beside the tree by the lake. I'd let my mind wonder over to what would be happening at home.

I wondered whether they would have given up. Would they think I was dead? I thought about my mum searching the web for any and every information about this sort of situation. I thought about her reading statistics about people lost and found. I thought about her worrying herself to death because that was the kind of person she was.

I wished there was a way to tell her I was okay. I wondered who my father was giving an earful.

"You'd better find my son! Soon! And alive" I imagined him shouting at some poor guy who had no more control of the situation that he did.

Oh and dear Gaby. Gaby would have to be strong for mum but when she would find herself alone, she'd cry.

"What are you thinking of?" I heard Mikey ask snapping me out of it.

"Nothing" I smiled at him as he took a seat beside me. I felt my arm rub against his drenched shirt.

"Eww!" I exclaimed making a face "you're so sweaty".

"Am I? Come on then, give me a hug" he opened his arms wide gesturing for a hug.

"Eww, stop" I replied with a whiny voice. He laughed and sat back.

I did too but made sure there was a gap between us. He saw this and let out a small laugh again.

"Any progress?" I asked as I made a slight nod in the direction of Gabe carving into the second log and Ollie working on the paddle outline of the first.

"Slow" he replied "but it's looking good".

I nodded. We sat quietly for a while before I spoke again.

"If we do get back home..."

"When" Mikey interrupted.

"What?"

"When we get back home" he replied.

"Yeah" I said brushing it off "when we get back home, do you think we'll stay together?"

He gave me disapproving look "Jo, of course. Don't you understand that...."

"I'm just saying..." It was my turn to interrupt "this has been pretty amazing but when there's all those actual girls throwing themselves at you..."

"Don't do this"

"Do what?" I replied coldly.

"You're self destructing"

"I am not self destructing"

"Now you're just repeating what I say"

"I am not...." I stopped.

The silence was short because soon he was speaking again.

"Jo" Mikey tried to get my attention.

I ignored him.

"Jo, look at me"

"What?" I turned sharply.

I watched him get closer and closer until our lips met. I moaned and kissed him back. When we separated, I was breathing heavily.

"You're the only girl for me because I love you" he told me. He'd said it. My heart melted again. I was glad I was sitting because I didn't think I'd be able to keep myself from falling.

I'd heard somewhere that you fall in love like you fall asleep. Slowly then all at once. This was my all at once.

I kissed him again, harder than before. I pulled myself in not caring one bit about his sweat.

It took a while but eventually we settled down again. I had a permanent smile painted on my face.

Not long after that, he had to go back to join the others. I guessed break was over. As I watched him walk away, I realised I hadn't said it back.

▼・j61;・▼

We'd all eaten our fill of boiled plantain and dried fish and then sat near the lake as the sun fell behind the trees.
The boys had called it a day earlier and had waited eagerly for the meal I'd started preparing an hour before.

I couldn't help but smile as they downed all of their helpings ravenously. I'd really begun to enjoy cooking for them so I made the extra effort making sure it was as nice as possible.

They'd all taken a bath in the lake while I got the food ready and none of them had put any real clothes on after so now I tried not to stare as they sat in front of me in their briefs and shorts.

"How are the paddles coming?" I asked trying to get my mind off all the topless torsos in view.

"We all pulled through today. We got them all done. Except the last one was looking kind of flimsy" Gabe replied.

How were they all so fit?

"Yeah, Doug's fault. For all his talk..." Tate added.

Seriously. All of them.

"Hey give it a rest okay? It's fine." Doug chimed before going back to pick his teeth with his finger.

It was probably an understatement to say I never saw what the girls in our class saw in Doug before but now I think I got it.

"Like what you see?" I heard Doug ask. It took me a while to realise he was talking to me. I noticed he had a smirk that I instantly wanted to smack off his face.

"Shut up, Doug" Mikey said with obvious irritation in his voice.

Without missing a beat, Doug replied, "hey it's not my fault your girlfriend there got the hots for me".

"Mikey, leave it" I said before he had the chance to react poorly.

"Yeah, leave it Mikey" Doug replied in a mocking voice. He grinned happily at himself before turning to leer at me.

I suddenly needed another bath.

"You know what would be fun? Truth or dare" Doug continued. He was obviously loving the sound of his own voice.

"No way" I shook my head "Not on your life"

"Hey, I promise no funny business. No weird shit or telling anyone to kiss or anything like that. Scout's honor" Doug placed a hand on his chest and another in the air as he said that.

"Are you even a scout?" Tommy asked him.

"No, of course not. What am I, a loser?" He replied then put him hands down. "What do you say?"

One by one, everyone eventually agreed to play. I guess we all just wanted to feel normal again.

"Great" Doug said rubbing his hands happily "Ollie, you go first. Truth or dare?"

"Uhh...." Ollie thought of what to say. Ollie rarely spoke anymore. He just always seemed to live in the shadows now. "Truth" he replied.

"What really happened between you and Jo?" Doug asked smiling.

"We fought, I already said..."

"Bullshit" Doug interrupted "we're not fucking 12. Something went down and I'd like to know the truth, thank you"

Ollie seemed to be wrestling with so many thoughts. He looked to me and I looked back. He seemed to break. I tried my hardest not to feel pity for him. But in that one moment when his face looked like he carried the weight of the whole world on his shoulders, I did.

He never did reply after that. He stood and left walking towards the house.

"Oh I'm gonna find out what happened" Doug said seemingly satisfied with himself. Doug was a dick.

As soon as Ollie was out of sight, Doug turned to me.

"Okay Jo, your turn"

"Why do you get to ask again?" I asked.

"Yeah, why do you get to go again?" Gabe agreed.

"Come on guys, indulge me. Someone else can go next. Jo, come on. Truth or dare."

I decided to play his game but afraid he'd just ask the same question if I went truth, I chose dare. He smiled.

"Okay let's see... " He comically placed a hand on his chin. He was enjoying himself. His expression lit up into a sinister grin. "I dare you to make yourself up 100% like a girl. I'm pretty sure there's makeup somewhere in all that stuff. Maybe put on some sexy heels"

"No!"

"Come on!" he exclaimed "it's a good dare."

I looked to the group for help. They offered none.

"It is a pretty good dare" Tate spoke in favor. The others agreed.

"I don't even know how to put on makeup" I lied. With a sister like Gaby, that wasn't possible.

"Well it's either you put it on, or I put it on for you" Doug said laughing "and I definitely have no clue about makeup".

I protested a few more times but when I realised my pleas were falling on deaf ears, I gave in.

"Ugh fine" I conceded before standing up.

I heard excited cheers and laughter coming from the guys as I made my way to the house.

▼・j61;・▼

When I got inside, I realised it was way darker in there than I realised. The windows that lined the walls did little to bring in the fading sunlight and I realised I wouldn't be able to see properly as I tried to apply the makeup.

I decided the boys probably didn't even know enough or care for that matter so I opted for as little makeup as I could get away with.

Ben briefly drew my attention. He seemed to sleep peacefully still tied up at the far end of the large house. Seeing him there, I started feeling bad for him. He'd been tied there for so long now. I thought it might be becoming a bad habit of pitying those who assaulted me but this was different. They were sick. They were victims too.

I'd brushed away the thought and started searching for the makeup bag. It took some care and finesse but I eventually found and applied eyeshadow and eyeliner to my eyes, mascara to my lashes and lip gloss to my lips.

As I inspected myself in the trunk mirror, I wished I'd had the time, lighting and situation to give myself the proper treatment like Gaby and I used to do but I didn't want to keep the guys waiting any longer.

I put on the pair of black thick heeled, platform sandals I'd eyed a few times before as per Doug's dare.

I briefly inspected the new look and noticed the heels did pair very nicely with the skater skirt. I forced myself to focus, closed the trunk and left the house.

▼・j61;・▼

When I came into view of boys, they starting whooping and whistling. I don't know what caused me to but I made a twirl which made them laugh.
I closed the gap expertly in the 4.5" heels which wasn't easy on the grass where they sat.

"Happy?" I asked Doug.

"Very" he replied.

"Uh don't take this the wrong way Jo, but you're kind of a babe" I heard Gabe say.

I blushed. I looked over to Mikey who smiled but didn't say anything.

Eventually we all sat back down and I made sure to do so beside Mikey and the game continued. The truths and dares however became more goofy and light-hearted after that.

After a few turns, Tate dared Doug to eat a leaf from the tree which he did try to do but gave up eventually and spat.

Gabe dared Mikey to do 100 push-ups which he actually did to everyone's surprise. We counted.

▼・j61;・▼

Coach had cut our game short when he came out to meet us with the flare gun in his hand. The boys shouted excitedly. It was contagious because soon I was shouting too.

"Do it, coach!" Doug yelled happily.

"Yeah, send it!" Another person said.

Coach ran a check to make sure everything was in order before raising one hand to the sky and simultaneously covering one ear and using his other hand to cover the other.

We cheered again as we covered covering both ears.

Coach counted down from 3 trying and failing to hide the excitement on his face. At zero, a bang erupted and a trail of bright red smoke shot up into the air. It burned brightly as the trail arched and illuminated the night sky.

We all shouted happily. Coach smiled back at us before turning his eyes back to our hope burning brightly high up in the sky.

I wondered who was seeing this too. I wondered who was making calls about the mysterious flare that showed up in the night sky.

▼・j61;・▼

It was dark now and the flare had since dissipated from the sky. Everyone else had decided to call it a night a while ago leaving only Mikey and I outside. I'd taken off the heels some time ago too and sat barefooted in the grass. I don't know how long we sat there but we did quietly. I simply tried to take in this moment of the two of us sitting like this in the moonlight. Mikey eventually stood and leaned against the lake tree never once taking his eyes off of me.

"What?" I asked with a coy smile.

"You're so beautiful" he told me.

I blushed.

I'd had enough. I couldn't take it anymore. I stood quickly, closed the gap between us and planted a firm kiss on his lips. His arms came around me and held me tightly. My arms wrapped around his neck and our intensity only increased. We kissed noisily and passionately not caring about anything else.

When we finally slowed down, I was breathing heavily. Sometime during our frenzy, we'd switched positions and I now stood against the tree. I buried my head into his chest and with my arms still wrapped around him and his around me.

"I don't ever want to be alone again" I begged "Never leave me"

"Okay" he replied.

"Promise you'll never leave me" I felt everything in that moment. From the soft night breeze to the way his muscles pressed against my small frame. Everything was amplified. If I had any hair on the back of my neck, it would have been standing straight up.

"I promise I'll never leave you Jo. It's you and me now forever."

I trembled. My eyes filled with tears, I was so happy. I pulled his face into mine again and kissed him. I'd never been so happy. Not even before this island. I'd felt so much joy. But my joy would turn to ash in my mouth.

I felt him jerk. It took me a while to realise what had just happened but when I looked down, I saw the knife poking out of his side.

I was stunned, unable to move, unable to make a sound.

I felt his grip around me weaken even as he tried to hold on to me. His eyes never left mine. They looked so scared and confused. Mikey dropped to his knees and I followed still confused as to what had just happened.

I saw Ben standing there, bloodshot eyes staring back at me. I saw Mikey crumple to the floor, a knife dug deep into his side.

I screamed.

▼・j61;・▼

Hey everyone! It's been a while since I posted and I'm sorry. That said, I'm desperate to hear what you thought about the events of this chapter so head on down to the comments and let me know. Cheers!